​​The programs of Clark County Solid Waste and Environmental Outreach (Clark County Green Business, Clark County Green Schools, Clark County Green Neighbors, and Master Composter Recyclers) host AmeriCorps service members for 10 1/2 month terms, annually, through the Washington Service Corps. Learn more about the program, here.

Hello, my name is Michelle. I am the new AmeriCorps Green Business Outreach Coordinator for the 2019/20 service term. I was born in the Midwest, but I grew up here, in Vancouver. When I realized that the environment and our natural resources need to be preserved and restored, or else they might not be there for future generations, I decided to pursue a career where I could help the community shift to more sustainable practices. I am excited that I will be able to do that during my term here. 

Once I had my goal in mind, I dove into the ecological community by volunteering with several volunteer organizations including Portland Audubon, the Southwest Washington Amphibian Monitoring Project (SWAMP), the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and the Cascade Pika Watch and by working in several research labs at Washington State University Vancouver. Now I promote ecological awareness whenever I can as one of the Board Members and Co-Social Media Managers for the Northwest Ecological Research Institute (NERI), a nonprofit working to further knowledge of Pacific Northwest natural history through research, training and dissemination of information. 

I recently graduated with my bachelor's degree from WSUV where I majored in environmental science and minored in biology. After graduating, I participated in the Sierra Club's Climate Justice League program which works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I also joined the Clark County Master Composter Recycler program to learn more about soil health and stewardship. When I'm not working or building experience in my field, I like to practice and teach yoga, hike barefoot, go rock climbing and spend time on self-care.